Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-16
THE ASYLUM INVESTIGATION.
4 Difficulty Encountered in the Timidity of
Witnesses.

S,Cciui TlcQrdm 10 NE Register.
WESTON, w. VA, February l5.-Thc
committee in session yesterday did great
deal towards bringing about points long
sought for and the main obstacle now is
the intimidation of witnesses. The first
one called after dinner to-day was Miss
being duly sworn, Chairman Sprigg as
sured her, Us he does all other witnesses
from-the Hospital, that by stating the
truth no annoyance would arise in the way
of discharge or anything Of the kind.
Miss Black testified that the wearing ap-
parel of outsiders was sent in to he washed
in the Hospital laundry.
Miss Mary Pope, attendant, said, that
she had been an emplOye at the Hospital
for II years and that she had no fault TO
find with DR.. Bland, and that he had
made many improvements at the institu-
ton i'll the way of painting, kalSOmning
&c. 1t is also positively proven i'll tO-day's
testimony that the German patient from
Wheeling, by the name of Bursiner, had
not mingled with any of the male patients
since last March or April, and as soon rs
the condition of Miss Bursiner was
known it was referred to
the Superintendent about October or 10.
Miss Pope also stated that by n change in
the present management no change for the
better could be made in her opinion.
The next witness called was Sarah Cain.
She stated that her hall was comfortable
and pleasant, but i'll the "wing,' where
she was formerly engaged, it was lar from
being comfortable. She also complained
of not getting the proper diet Tor indiS
posed patients, but ut last said that she
did not apply TO the right source for it,
giving as her reason rs always being met
with irOwn from the matron, Mrs. Jack
son, when approached upon an errand OF
| this kind. She didn't think that the
proper care of patients had taken pl 6 on
| the part OF the attendants in charge before
| the new rule was adopted. She also stated
that DIR. Lewis was very attentive to pa
tients and made it a speciality to examine
each case as he passed through his wards
Mr.. O'EIara, the clerk, was next called
and said that he was not in position to
say whether Bland was competent to hold
the position of Superintendent or not, but
thinks he is really good tinancier; he
also says that the Dr.. is not very active,
but owing to physical deformities that is
excused.
The whole affair is likely to terminate
in political hOt-ScOtch, and the Bland peO-
pie are anXiouSly awaiting the end.
The State to-day closed their testimony
after the examination of about twenty-five
witnesses altogether. The defence has be-
gun by putting DR.. Bland on the stand.
OF course they contradict many of the
most serious charges against them, and
that in a most emphatic manner. He
says the improvements complained
about cannot be made until
the State makes the necessary appropria.
ton. The case Of Nettie Bursiner, OF
Wheeling, was much talked about to-day,
and it was plainly shown that her fate
could not have been prevented. Another
charge of like nature was satisfactorily
explained. The committee is using every
endeavor to make "a thorough Investigation
and the gentlemen composing it are pretty
we'll Worn out, as they are working day
and night.